Pump plunger



Jan. 29, 1929.

v E. GRAY PUMP PLUNGER Filed March 1926 valve seat 11 of the usual construction is Patented Jan. 29, 192 9.

stares arouses:

ELLSWTOBTH GRAY, OI HOUSTON, TEXAS.

PUMP PLUN Application filed March e, 1926. Serial m. 92,902.

My invention relates to pump plungers, and it is contemplated that the invention may be adapted for use on pistons or plungers of all types, and in the drawing, I have illustrated it as being applied to a deep well pump plunger. I do not limit my invention to this use, however.

It is an object of the invention to provide a packing means for use on reciprocating members, such as pump plungers, in which the packing is made up of a spirally arranged strip ofresilient metal adapted to be expanded to take up wear between the reciprocating member and the cylinder or pump barrel in which it operates; It is also an object to provide means for securing the packing member to the reciprocating part in such manner that the packing is prevented from expanding longitudinally farther than is necessary to take up for the wear in the oper ating parts.

Referring to the drawing herewith, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 discloses a central longitudinal section through a pump barrel showing a pump plunger therein, partly in elevation and partly in central section, to which my invention has been applied. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on t e plane 2-2 of Fig. 1. Like numerals of reference are applied to like parts in both the views.

In the drawing, the pump barrel is designated by the letter A. It may be of any referred form, and I have'illustrated a p ain working barrel of ordinary construction.

The plunger in its general make-up is not materially 'diiferent, except as to the packinI'g means, from the ordinary pump plunger. t comprises a tubular body 1 having its upper end closed and provided with a threaded shank 2 for attachment to a sucker rod 4. The closed upper end is provided with lateral openings 5 to provide an outlet from the centralpassage 6 through the tubular body in the operation of the pump.

The lower end of the body member is enlarged somewhat in both internal and external diameter to provide a valve chamber 7 in which a ball valve 8, or other preferred form of valve, may operate. The lower end is threaded internally at 9, a shoulder being formed at 10 above the threaded portion. A

clamped against the shoulder 10 by a nut 12, which is screwed within the threaded lower end of the pump barrel, said nut being provided with a passage therethrough which is a continuation of the passage 6 through the plunger. A diametrical pin 13, above the ball valve, limits its upward movement during the downward stroke of the plunger.

The packing means which I have devised is end of the spiral member is connected rigldy with a nut or collar 17 which is spaced slightly from the body of the plunger, except at its upper end where it is threaded internally at 18 for engagement with the threaded surface 19 of the bodyof the plunger. The threads forming the engagement between the nut or sleeve member 17 and the plunger body are of a coarse pitch, corresponding approxi-- mately'with the pitch of the winding upon the spiral strip 15 whichforms the packing.

It will, therefore, rotate with the windin of the spiral to such an extent as is allowe by the cylinder or barrel in which it is laced.

I prefer to place between the spiral strip 14, which forms the body of the packing and the plunger body, a sleeve of compressible material 20. This material serves to fill the space between the plunger body and the packing so as to resist the in an obvious manner.

In the operation of the device, the body of the pump plunger may have a comparatively loose fit with the cylinder, as indicated in the drawing, or may is customary. The exact construction of the plunger or piston forms no essential part of the invention.

In the drawing, the packing strip is shown ave a close sliding fit, as

passage of fluid therein.

as expanded somewhat to take up for wear in the working parts. The lower windings at 21 are of the same exterior diameter as is the body of the pump plunger at 16. It will,

therefore, be easily introduced into the pump barrel or cylinder, and as the plunger is forced into the barrel, the windings of the strip 15 above will be gradually compressed and forced inwardly to fit within the barrel.

In so doing, the nut or sleeve 17 may be rotated or screwed upon the threaded nut 19' of the plunger body so that the packing means will be compressed, as is necessary to make a close fit with the barrel. When the pump plunger is reciprocated, the packing strip 14 V will last for longer periods of time, due to the fact that it may be made of hard material and will expand until the strip is practically Worn out before it will be necessary to renew the packing means. As the packing expands, the threaded sleeve 17 will begradually unscrewed upon the plunger body so as to permit the desired expansion. It will be obvious, of coursejtha't the threaded engage ment ofthe sleeve 17 with the plunger body will prevent the packing means from being expanded longitudinally, as would be the case with a compression spring, and will act to maintain the adjacent edges of the strip in contact with each other.

It is believed that the advantages of this construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: j

1. In a device of the character described, a barrel, a piston novable therein, a nut threaded upon one end'of said piston, a spirally arranged strip of resilient packing metal secured to said nut at one end and rigidly secured to said piston at the other end, said strip being adapted to resiliently engage the inner surface of said barrel.

2. In a device of'the character described, a

I barrel, a piston movable therein, a nut having threaded engagement with one end thereof, a spiral strip of resilient material secured to said nut at one end and to said piston at the other end, the sides of said strip being shaped to fit the adjacent side, with which it contacts, to make .a tight closure, the outward expansion of said packing being limited by said barrel. I

3; In a device of the character described,

including a member having a cylindrical wall and a cylindrical member movable therein, the combination of a packmg on said movable member comprising a spirally wound strip of resilient metal secured rigidly to said said piston, the adjacent sides of said windings being in contact with each other, and.

means at the other end of said strip movably engaging the piston, said movable engagement being on a spiral of the same pitch as said strip for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 2nd day of March, A. D. 1926.

ELLSWORTH GRAY. 

